Aerojet Aerobee 150 Rocket Sustainer Engine

My AEROBEE 150 liquid fueled rocket sustainer, with expansion nozzle. The engine, designated AJ11-6, is rated at 18kN (4,100 lbs) of thrust for 42 seconds.

The Aerojet General Aerobee was the first purpose-designed American high altitude sounding rocket. The Aerobee 150 was for many years the standard American upper atmosphere research vehicle employed between 1947 and 1985. Over 1,000 vehicles were launched with a lift capacity of 40-300 pounds to altitudes of up to 300 miles. Lifts included instrumentation and a program of flying biological test subjects. Aerobees were the first rockets to launch mice and monkeys into space.

The Aerobee 150 has an Isp of 198 seconds using Analine and IRFNA as fuel and oxidizer respectively with a nominal chamber pressure of 324 psia. The pressurant was helium. Both the oxidizer and fuel valves were poppet type valves, operated by a single actuator by way of a linkage arrangement. The “rocket fuel” and oxidizer lines are clearly labeled.

Sustainer Serial Number 448 and Tank Serial Number 466. Part Number SG200574-1. SN A768